Powering down of head mounted display based on magnetic sensor detection

Abstract

A head mounted display (HMD) includes a magnetic sensor to produce a sensor signal responsive to detecting a magnet within a first threshold distance. The HMD also includes a circuit operatively coupled to the magnetic sensor. The circuit determines that the HMD is to be placed in a storage mode responsive to receiving the sensor signal from the magnetic sensor. The circuit powers down components of the HMD responsive to determining that the HMD is to be placed in the storage mode.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A head mounted display (HMD) comprising:
 a magnetic sensor configured to produce a sensor signal responsive to detecting a magnet within a first threshold distance; and 
 a circuit operatively coupled to the magnetic sensor, the circuit configured to determine that the HMD is to be placed in a storage mode responsive to receiving the sensor signal from the magnetic sensor and power down one or more components of the HMD responsive to determining that the HMD is to be placed in the storage mode. 
 
     
     
       2. The HMD of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic sensor is a Hall Effect sensor, a fluxgate magnetometer, or a magnetoresistance sensor. 
     
     
       3. The HMD of  claim 1 , further comprising a proximity sensor configured to produce a proximity signal responsive to detecting an object within a second threshold distance, wherein the circuit is operatively coupled to the proximity sensor to receive the proximity signal, the circuit further configured to power on the one or more components responsive to receiving the proximity signal but not the sensor signal. 
     
     
       4. The HMD of  claim 1 , further comprising a strap with the magnet, the strap configured to secure the HMD to a user's head when the HMD is being used. 
     
     
       5. The HMD of  claim 1 , wherein the magnet is included in a storage case for storing the HMD. 
     
     
       6. The HMD of  claim 1 , further comprising at least another magnetic sensor at a location different from the magnetic sensor, the circuit configured to determine whether the HMD is to be placed in the storage mode based on sensor signals from at least the other magnetic sensor. 
     
     
       7. A storage case for storing a head mounted display (HMD), the storage case comprising:
 enclosing walls defining space to receive the HMD for storage; and 
 a magnet attached to or embedded in the enclosing walls at a location so that a magnetic sensor of the HMD is within a threshold distance when the HMD is stored in the space, a circuit of the HMD powering down one or more components in the HMD responsive to the magnetic sensor detecting the magnet within the threshold distance. 
 
     
     
       8. The storage case of  claim 7 , wherein the enclosing walls include four side walls, a floor and a lid, and wherein the magnet is attached to or embedded in one of the four side walls, the floor, or the lid. 
     
     
       9. A method, comprising:
 producing a sensor signal, by a magnetic sensor, responsive to detecting a magnet within a first threshold distance; and 
 responsive to receiving the sensor signal from the magnetic sensor by a circuit operatively coupled to the magnetic sensor, determining whether a head mounted display (HMD) is to be placed in a storage mode; and 
 responsive to determining that the HMD is to be placed in the storage mode, powering down one or more components of the HMD. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the magnetic sensor is a Hall Effect sensor, a fluxgate magnetometer, or a magnetoresistance sensor. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 producing a proximity signal, by a proximity sensor, responsive to detecting an object within a second threshold distance, wherein the circuit is operatively coupled to the proximity sensor to receive the proximity signal; and 
 responsive to receiving the proximity signal but not the sensor signal, powering on the one or more components. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 9 , further comprising securing, by a strap with the magnet, the HMD to a user's head when the HMD is being used. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the magnet is included in a storage case for storing the HMD. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 determining whether the HMD is to be placed in the storage mode, by the circuit, based on sensor signals from at least another magnetic sensor at a location different from the magnetic sensor.